REPORT

At this point in the season, the reported snow depth of 235 cm is quite substantial for Shiga Kogen, especially considering that it is an inland region at elevation known for its slow-melting snow. Despite a chilly morning temperature of -7°C, the gentle breeze mitigated the perceived cold. Today, the Yakebitaiyama Panorama Course (pictured) boasted a dusting of 1 to 3 cm of light, fresh snow atop a moderately compacted groomed powder base, delivering exceptional snow quality and scenic vistas on par with peak season conditions.
[Yakebitaiyama・Panorama Course]

Today I ran into a couple from Nagano’s Otari Village (pictured), who remarked, “There you are, Snownavi! We’ve been searching for you all season, and finally found you! The snow quality in Shiga Kogen is completely different. We never imagined we’d be skiing on such dry, powdery slopes in late March.”
[Yakebitaiyama・South Course]

The Karamatsu Course, South Course (second photo), East Connecting Route (pictured), East Course, and Middle Contact Route (fourth photo), were groomed to perfection, boasting moderately soft powder snow with a light dusting of less than 1 cm of fresh snow. Even before 10:00 a.m., the Giant Slalom, Super Giant Slalom, and Olympic Courses, which had accumulated numerous tracks, still had groomed powder snow that was easy and enjoyable to ski.
[Yakebitaiyama・East Connecting Route]

The final First Tracks event of the season will be held on 3/24 (Sun.) Spring skiing discounts kick in on 4/1 (Mon.), with Adult 1-Day Tickets available for JPY6,000, and Junior High, High School, and Senior (60 Years & Older) tickets on sale for JPY5,300. Tickets for Elementary students and younger are free. The No. 1 Gondola will conduct early morning operations on Saturdays and Sundays from 4/6 (Sat.) to 4/14 (Sun.). In addition, the No. 2 Gondola will do the same on 4/20 (Sat.) & 4/21 (Sun.), as well as from 4/27 to 5/6 (Mon.).
[Yakebitaiyama・Middle Contact Course]
　
*The snow depth listed at the top of this report is the highest reported throughout the Shiga Kogen area. Currently, that amount of 235 cm is at Kumanoyu, while Yakebitaiyama is reporting 190 cm.

　
[Availability Information on 3/22 (Fti.)]
*All Courses are available (Except for Mt. Nishidate Okabe, Shirakaba, Buna, YAKEBI VALLEY, YAKEBI WALL, Gondola Detour, East Connecting, South Connecting, Mt. Yokote Queen No.6, Mt. Yokote Jumbo (Upper Part), Shibu-toge Simple, Shibutoge Gemut, Downhill Piedmont)
*Available Lifts … Ichinose Quad (8:30 a.m.-) and totally 35 lifts
*Fees … 1 Day Ticket Adult JPY7,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY6,400, Under 12 y/o JPY3,700 (4/1- Spring Discount Adult JPY6,500, Middle & High school students, over 60 y/o JPY5,900, Under 12 y/o JPY3,200)

*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
　
reported by Snownavi